Washington Legislator and LCC Alum to Address Class of 2014

Forty-four years ago, Dean Takko earned his associate degree from Lower Columbia College.
On June 20, the Washington State Representative from Longview will attend LCC’s 78th
Commencement Ceremony, this time as the keynote speaker for the Class of 2014.

The ceremony will be held at Kelso High School’s Schroeder Field again this year,
due to construction on Myklebust Gymnasium. No tickets are required for admission
because of the larger venue. The ceremony begins at 6:30 pm; gates open at 4:30 pm
for guest seating.

711 degrees and one-year certificates earned by LCC students this year:

331 Associate in Arts transfer degrees

268 Associate in Applied Science (professional technical) degrees

112 Certificates of Proficiency

Seventy-eight students earned a high school diploma or a GED Certificate from LCC
this year. These graduates will also participate in the ceremony. In past years, due
to space limitations, they held a separate ceremony.

Sixty-nine students will graduate with Highest Honors for completing an associate
degree with a grade point average above 3.79. Another 120 students are graduating
with Honors for achieving a 3.5 to 3.79 GPA while earning their associate degree.
A record 63 Running Start students will earn LCC associate’s degrees along with their
high school diplomas.

Scholastic Achievement Award

Allen Russell Kennington of Castle Rock and Masado Ishii of Rainier, Oregon, will
both receive the LCC Scholastic Achievement Award recognizing the top academic transfer
students graduating in 2014. Both completed their college studies with a 4.0 GPA while
simultaneously earning a high school diploma through dual enrollment programs. Kennington
will transfer to the University of Utah while Ishii has been accepted at University
of Oregon and each plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.

The Scholastic Achievement Award for the top scholar in a Professional Technical program
will be awarded to Daniel Jones (not pictured) who is receiving an Associate in Applied
Science degree in Fire Science with a 4.0 GPA.

About Dean Takko

Rep. Takko, LCC Class of 1970, has served in the state House of Representatives since
1970 and helped secure funding for the College’s new Health and Science Building scheduled
to open in Fall 2014. A graduate of Wahkiakum High School, Takko served as county
assessor in both Wahkiakum and Cowlitz counties before joining the legislature.